Samuel mccleaey



(No Model.)

S. MOGLEARY.

COMBINATION NUMBIIIOAL INSTRUOTION PUZZLE. No. 284,037

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Uurrnn STATES PATENT Ormes.-

SAMUEL MCCLEARY, OF V'ATERVLIET CENTRE, NEV YORK.

"COMBINATION NUMERICAL BNSTRUCTIN PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Lettersy Patent No. 284,037, dated August 28, 18834 Application filed April 521, 1883. (No model.)

`a part of this specification.

Similar letters refer to similar parts in the several ligures therein.

My invention relates to combination numerical instruction puzzles, and it consists in marking blocks of wood or other material with different numbers in such a manner that they may be grouped together in squares, and in such a position that the numbers on the horizontal, perpendicular, and two diagonal rows of blocks in a square will, when added together, amount to the same sum, and so that the relative position of the respective blocks may be easily and quickly changed to produce different arrangements, and every possible arrangement of the blocks giving the same numerical results in the same square.

The objects of my invention are, first, to easily and quickly change the relative pos sition of numbered blocks when grouped in the form of a square to show many or all the combinations possible to produce a given 11umerical result 5 second, to provide amusement and instruction to the old and young.

Figure 1 represents in perspective sixteen cubical blocks numbered from one to sixteen, inclusive, on four of their six faces. Fig. 2 represents in perspective the same blocks reversed or turned over, so as to show the marked faces not shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan view of sixty-four blocks numbered, as shown, from one to sixty-four, inclusive.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the sixteen blocks form a square having four perpendicular, four horizontal, and two diagonal -rows of blocks, having four blocks in each row, the horizontal and perpendicular rows being numbered 1 2 3 4. It is plain that the sum of the will remain the same.

numbers on the top faces of the blocks in each of said ten :rows is equal to 34.. The blocks are separated from each other by a small space in Figs. 1 and 2 to show their shape and the 55 numbers on their front faces; but in use they may be grouped closely together, in which position it is an easy matter to lift with the thumb and finger one whole row at a time and place it in another position. thus moved over alongside of No. 1l.,V we shall find the footings of the numbers on said ten rows remain the same as before-viz., 34. Ve may then move No. 2 over the other rows and place it alongside of No. 1 with the same re- 65 sult as to the footing of the ten rows, and then No. 3 over alongside of N o. 2, and the footings The horizontal maybe transferred relatively to each other in precisely the same way as the perpendicular rows. is obvious, therefore, that there are sixteen different arrangements of the blocks, in each of which the footings of the numbers on the upper faces of said ten rows will equal 34. rllhe blocks are also numbered from 1 to 16,inclusive, 7 5

on three other faces, and in such a manner that the sum of the numbers on the four faces vof each block will equal said sum of 34. XVe will now suppose the blocks in Fig. 1 to be turned over y upon, their rear faces, so that the front 8o will become the top faces. Ve shall then have a seventeenth arrangement of the blocks with the same footings as before, and by transposing the horizontal and perpendicular rows, as

above described, can secure fifteen more.. Ve 8 5 will now give the blocks another turn, so that the bottom faces in Fig. 1 will become the top faces. rPhe blocks will then be in the pfosition shown in Fig. 2, in which the ten rows foot up as before, and by transposing the rows, 9o

as described, we secure sixteen more arrangements of the blocks with same footings.

It should be remarked that the different faces of the blocks have interesting and peculiar phases, which stimulate investigation and afford amusement. For example, in Fig. 2 it will be seen that every square of four blocks foots up just 34. By giving the blocks another turn we bring the fourth face of cach block on top, exposing the numbers shown on the front roo faces of the blocks in Fig. 2, and by transposing the rows, as described, secure sixteen Tf row No. 1 is 6o more different arrangements of the blocks with same results as to footings.

I prefer to make the blocks in the form of small cubes, as they may be much more easily manipulated in this form; but they may be of any desired form, shape, or material. It will be readily seen that with sixteen such cubical blocks numbered on four faces of each block, as shown, any person can easily and quickly produce any or all of the sixty-four different combinations orl arrangements described after the blocks have been arranged to form any one of the sixty-four combinations, whereas with blocks numbered only on one side or face, as they have been heretofore constructed, it would be possible to obtain only sixteen different combinations without long study and experiment to obtain the other forty-eight combinations. Any number of blocks obtained by multiplying sixteenby four raised to n power may be arranged in the same manner, so that the perpendicular, horizontal, and two diagonal rows of the square will foot up the same sum. For example, if n equal 1, we shall have,4 16 z 64C blocks, as shown in Fig. 3. It will be found upon inspection that the numbers on all the horizontal, perpendicular, and diagonal rows containing eight blocks foot up two hundred and sixty, and that the blocks are in the form of a checker-board, which always has sixty-four squares. Io further carry out the resemblance the alternating blocks may be of a different color. The white blocks are marked W' and the black blocks B.

To assist in arranging the blocks in the form of a checker-board, and so that the eight horizontal, eight perpendicular, and two diagonal `rows of blocks will foot up two hundred and ing to incite the young to mental exercise in finding out this combination.

The method of arranging the blocks is as follows: Take any one of the blocks for the lower left-hand corner of the large square-for example, block No. 1 in Fig. S-then iill out the first horizontal row with the blocks whose numbers appear on the horizontal margin of the block selected, (in this case block No. 1,) and in the order therein given. Only six numbers are 'to complete the second perpendicular row,

given; but the -number of the eighth or last block rcan be found in every instance by sub- 6o tracting the sum of the numbers on the seven blocks already placed from 260, the total of each row. The perpendicular row is formed in the same manner, using the perpendicular row of numbers on the corner block. Then,

find the sum of the numbers on the initial corner block (No. 1) and the adjoining block on each side. Subtract thissum from 130, (one-half of the sum of each full`row,) and the remainder is the number of the block required to complete the lower left-hand square of four blocks. It will be seen that the large square is inade up of sixteen small squares of four blocks each, and the fourth block of any small square may be found by subtracting the sum of the numbers on three of the blocks from the number 130, by which. rule it is easy to fillout the successive rows with the blocks properly arranged. As any block may be placed in the lower left-hand corner, it is evident that we may in this way obtain as many different arrangements as there are blocks-viz., sixtyfour.

In addition to the numbers shown, there may be letters or other marks upon any or all of the blocks to call attention to particular features, or further assist in grou ping the blocks, as described.

Vhat I-claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isy 1. Sixteen or more blocks numbered on four sides in numerical order from one upward by marking-such a number not greater than the number of blocks on each .of the four sides of each block, that the same number shall not appear more than once on each block, and that the sum of .the numbers on the four sides of each block shall be the same, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

2. Sixteen or more blocks numbered by marking with iigures in numerical order from one upward on one or more block-faces, and having additional figures or symbols on one or more of said blocks to indicate the relative position to be occupied by the blocks in a square in which the numerical value of different rows 'of blocks shall be the same, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof Ihave hereunto set my I ro hand this 5th day of March, 1883.

SAMUEL MOCLEARY.

Vitnesses:

C. D. KELLUM, GEO. A. Mesi-1ER. 

